AVES— MACG AW. 



549 



stances, chiefly seeds, supply its food, in the wild state. When domesti- 

 cated, it lives on hemp-seed, the outer covering of which it detaches with 

 much dexterity. Of pastry and sweetmeats it is very fond. 



THE MACCAW.i 



The maccaws are characterized by their very broad and powerful beaks ; 

 ,ne nakedness of the face, sometimes quite bare, at other times partially 

 ..vvered with lines of short and scattered feathers ; and the tail, which sur- 

 passes the body in length, is regularly graduated and terminates in an acute 

 <,pei- All of them are natives of America, inhabit the tropical regions, and 

 ai 2 1 -markable for their vivid coloring. They subsist on fruits and seeds. 

 Of \\ ' latter, they prefer such as have a hard and shelly covering, and from 

 these <hey extract the contents very skilfully. 



THE BLUE MACCAW 



Inhabits Brazil. It is entirely of a deep and brilliant blue color; with 

 black back, legs, and claws. Round each of the eyes is a naked circle of 

 bright yellow, and the cere is of the same hue. A specimen in the 

 Tower, measures two feet four inches, from the top of the head to the 

 extremity of the tail. Its upper mandible is five inches long; its lower 

 is two. 



1 Psittacus macao, Lin. 



